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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/13/2018 - Regular March 13, 2018 111 Roanoke County Administration Center 5204 Bernard Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24018 The Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia met this day at the Roanoke County Administration Center, this being the second Tuesday and the first regularly scheduled meeting of the month of March 2018. Audio and video recordings of this meeting will be held on file for a minimum of five (5) years in the office of the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors. IN RE: OPENING CEREMONIES Before the meeting was called to order a moment of silence was observed. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. IN RE: CALL TO ORDER Chairman Hooker called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. The roll call was taken. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Martha B. Hooker, Supervisors George G. Assaid, Phil C. North, Joseph P. McNamara and P. Jason Peters MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Thomas C. Gates, County Administrator; Daniel R. O’Donnell, Assistant County Administrator; Richard Caywood, Assistant County Administrator; Ruth Ellen Kuhnel, County Attorney; Amy Whittaker, Public Information Officer and Deborah C. Jacks, Chief Deputy Clerk to the Board IN RE: PROCLAMATIONS, RESOLUTIONS, RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS 1. Proclamation declaring March as American Red Cross Month in the County of Roanoke (Jackie Grant, Executive Director, American Red Cross) Proclamation was read and accepted by Ms. Grant. March 13, 2018 112 IN RE: BRIEFINGS 1. Briefing to discuss with the Board of Supervisors the County Administrator's Proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Operating Budget (Thomas C. Gates, County Administrator; Christopher R. Bever, Director, Management and Budget) Supervisor McNamara inquired if the eight cents for debt is both principal and interest with Mr. Gates affirming. Supervisor Peters inquired if the Safer Grant for three years is fully paid with Mr. Gates responding there will be minor items. Supervisor McNamara inquired if the school are in agreement with the transfer with Mr. Bever responding in the affirmative. Chairman Hooker thanked staff for preparation. IN RE: FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES 1. Ordinance approving a lease with Reba Farm Inn to provide equestrian camping facilities and services in Explore Park (Doug Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism) Mr. Blount outlined the request for ordinance. Supervisor North inquired as to the proforma for the first year with Mr. Blount responding ½ years of operations, $15,000 with 400 participants to 45,000 by year three with 1,200 participants. There was no further discussion. Supervisor Peters’ motion to approve the first reading and set the second reading for March 27, 2018, was seconded by Supervisor McNamara and approved by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Assaid, North, McNamara, Peters, Hooker NAYS: None 2. Ordinance approving a lease with Treetop Quest Roanoke, LLC to provide an aerial adventure course at Explore Park (Doug Blount, Director of Parks, Recreation and Tourism) Mr. Blount outlined the request for ordinance. There was no discussion. Supervisor Peters’ motion to approve the first reading and set the second reading for March 27, 2018, was seconded by Supervisor McNamara and approved by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Assaid, North, McNamara, Peters, Hooker March 13, 2018 113 NAYS: None IN RE: SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES 1. Ordinance accepting and appropriating funds in the amount of $368,730 to Roanoke County Public Schools (Rebecca Owens, Director of Finance) Ms. Owens advised there were no changes since the first reading. ORDINANCE 031318-1 ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $368,730 TO ROANOKE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHEREAS, Roanoke County Public Schools received $368,730 in E-Rate revenue during the year not originally budgeted; and WHEREAS, any funds received during the year that were not included in the budget approved by the Board of Supervisors requires appropriation before the funds can be spent; and WHEREAS, software support for the building security system will expire on September 2018; and WHEREAS, the maintenance renewal on all building security systems will cost $468,000; and WHEREAS, Section 18.04 of the Roanoke County Charter provides that funds be appropriated by ordinance; and WHEREAS, first reading of this ordinance was held on February 27, 2018, and the second reading was held on March 13, 2018. BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as follows: 1. That the sum of $368,730 is hereby appropriated to the County School Board of Roanoke County for fiscal year 2017-2018 . 2. That this ordinance shall take effect from and after the date of adoption. On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor North the motion was approved by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Assaid, North, McNamara, Peters, Hooker NAYS: None March 13, 2018 114 IN RE: CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION 031318-2 APPROVING AND CONCURRING IN CERTAIN ITEMS SET FORTH ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AGENDA FOR THIS DATE DESIGNATED AS ITEM I- CONSENT AGENDA BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County, Virginia, as follows: That the certain section of the agenda of the Board of Supervisors for March 13, 2018, designated as Item I - Consent Agenda be, and hereby is, approved and concurred in as to each item separately set forth in said section designated Items 1 through 5 inclusive, as follows: 1. Approval of minutes – January 23, 2018 2. Request to accept and allocate grant funds in the amount of $2,000 for the Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) Educational Grant Program 3. Resolution requesting acceptance of Sullivan Lane into the Virginia Department of Transportation Secondary System 4. Resolution expressing the appreciation of the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County to Timothy R. Baker, Deputy Sheriff-Sergeant-Inmate/Jail Services, upon his retirement after more than twenty-two (22) years of service 5. Confirmation of appointment to the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission (At- Large) On motion of Supervisor Peters to adopt the resolution, seconded by Supervisor McNamara the motion was approved by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Assaid, North, McNamara, Peters, Hooker NAYS: None A-031318-2.a RESOLUTION 031318-2.b REQUESTING ACCEPTANCE OF SULLIVAN LANE INTO THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SECONDARY SYSTEM WHEREAS, the streets described on the attached VDOT Form AM-4.3, fully incorporated herein by reference, are shown on plats recorded in the Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Roanoke County; and WHEREAS, the representative for the Virginia Department of Transportation has advised this Board that the street(s) meet the requirements established by the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Subdivision Street Requirements; and March 13, 2018 115 WHEREAS, the County and the Virginia Department of Transportation have entered into an agreement on March 9, 1999, for comprehensive stormwater detention, which applies to this request for addition. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, this Board requests the Virginia Department of Transportation to add the street(s) described on the attached Additions Form AM-4.3 to the secondary system of State highways, pursuant to §33.1-229, Code of Virginia, and the Department's Subdivision Street Requirements, after receiving a copy of this resolution and all outstanding fees and documents required of the developer, whichever occurs last in time; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this Board guarantees a clear and unrestricted right-of-way, as described, and any necessary easements for cuts, fills and drainage; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Residency Administrator for the Virginia Department of Transportation. On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, the motion was seconded by Supervisor North and was approved by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Assaid, North, McNamara, Peters, Hooker NAYS: None RESOLUTION 031318-2.c EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ROANOKE COUNTY TO TIMOTHY R. BAKER, DEPUTY SHERIFF-SERGEANT- INMATE/JAIL SERVICES, UPON HIS RETIREMENT AFTER TWENTY-TWO (22) YEARS OF SERVICE WHEREAS, Mr. Baker was employed by Roanoke County on April 3, 1995; and WHEREAS, Mr. Baker retired on March 1, 2018, after twenty-two years and eleven months of devoted, faithful and expert service to Roanoke County; and WHEREAS, during Mr. Baker’s tenure with the Sheriff’s Department, he has served as a Deputy Sheriff-Sergeant-Inmate/Jail Services, Deputy Sheriff- Care/Confinement, and Deputy Sheriff-Sergeant and has served with professionalism and dedication in providing services to the citizens of Roanoke County; and WHEREAS, during Mr. Baker’s time serving the citizens of Roanoke County, he did so with exceptional dedication and determination to ensure that he provided the highest level of service possible. As the Jail’s Services Sergeant, Mr. Baker strived to find innovative ways to save taxpayer dollars. He initiated a bulk purchase program in conjunction with the Western Virginia Regional Jail which has saved thousands of dollars in janitorial supply costs. Mr. Baker had a way to bring a smile to everyone’s face with just his everyday pleasant attitude and genuine concern for their well-being. Mr. Baker will be missed by his colleagues and leaves behind a magnificent legacy of well- deserved respect and outstanding service; March 13, 2018 116 WHEREAS, Mr. Baker plans on spending his retirement enjoying time with his family and his new found hobby of metal detecting. He also has expressed his desire to promote childhood literacy by volunteering his time to the “Little Free Library” organization. Mr. Baker would like to see library boxes, similar to the one located in the lobby of the Roanoke County Jail, throughout the entire Roanoke Valley and feels that his experience will be most helpful in achieving the organization’s mission. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Roanoke County expresses its deepest appreciation and the appreciation of the citizens of Roanoke County to TIMOTHY R. BAKER for more than twenty-two years of capable, loyal and dedicated service to Roanoke County; and FURTHER, the Board of Supervisors does express its best wishes for a happy and productive retirement. On motion of Supervisor McNamara to adopt the resolution, the motion was seconded by Supervisor North and was approved by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Assaid, North, McNamara, Peters, Hooker NAYS: None A-031318-2.d IN RE: CITIZENS’ COMMENTS AND COMMUNICATIONS IN RE: REPORTS Supervisor Peters moved to receive and file the following reports. The motion was seconded by Supervisor McNamara and carried by the following recorded vote: AYES: Supervisors Assaid, North, McNamara, Peters, Hooker NAYS: None 1. Unappropriated, Board Contingency and Capital Reserves Report 2. Outstanding Debt Report 3. Statement of Treasurer's Accountability per Investment and Portfolio Policy as of November 30, 2017 4. Statement of Treasurer's Accountability per Investment and Portfolio Policy as of December 31, 2017 IN RE: REPORTS AND INQUIRIES OF BOARD MEMBERS Supervisor Assaid stated he had two items. One, he would like to get an update on the financial policies that we had asked the County Administrator to prepare March 13, 2018 117 and also where we are with the CMP Projects List that he has asked for on two separate occasions, January 9, 2018 and again February 27, 2018. Mr. Gates commented the financial policy piece is being prepared and believed that the Board request that staff provide not only a document that represents the recommended financial policies, but something that you could walk from the existing policies to what is proposed. So that is being prepared. As far as the CMP Projects, he is not sure. Supervisor Assaid asked Mr. Gates to follow up. Supervisor North stated he had a few comments to let folks know what has been th going on in the Hollins District. First, on February 28, he attended the dedication of the th renovated Dana Science Building at Hollins University and on March 5, he joined Hollins representatives and Roanoke County School representatives to view these new facilities for ideas integrating some of the new features into our County schools Chemistry and Biology labs. Second, there was a great turn out for community meetings that were reimagining the Hollins area. Roanoke County is developing plans to increase multi-modal connections within Hollins and enhance an important commercial center. This open-style meeting was held twice in March and results will be reported in May on the input we gathered from our citizens both in person and through the survey. Last, on th Sunday, March 11, the Hollins Library opened from 1 to 5 p.m. and over 140 citizens visited. A special thanks goes out to the Library Services, Library Marketing and the Hollins Library staff for their welcoming efforts. Supervisor McNamara stated he had a few things, first on our Consent Agenda today, we approved a new appointee to the Airport Commission. First on our consent to the Airport Commission. Just for the citizens to know, there were a number of people who had an interest in that position and so extremely, extremely qualified people to have an interest in serving our valley. He wants everybody to know there are great citizens out there who are working and willing to volunteer their time to move our community and really our whole valley forward and for that he is very appreciative. The Board has selected a fine candidate, but there were a number of very fine candidates as well. Secondly, we heard a little bit about community meetings; but for the folks over in the Windsor Hills area, there will be an Oak Grove community meeting on what our vision might be for the Oak Grove area going forward. It is going to be March 15, 2018, Thursday between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Oak Grove Elementary School. You don’t need to be there from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. You can stop in for a few minutes at any point and share some of your thoughts. That meeting is repeated a week from Saturday, March 24, 2018. So if you have an interest, we would love to see you there. Saturday it is between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon and again it is at Oak Grove Elementary School. Third, we are getting farther and farther along in our budget and we are about 98% there and it has been mentioned, but he wants to mention it again. There has been a lot of hard work by staff, department heads in putting together a budget and understanding the needs of our citizens. It our position and our job to try to evaluate the budget through our eyes as well. A job well done and we are very quickly coming to the end of that process. Thank you. March 13, 2018 118 Supervisor Peters stated he had something that he wanted to talk about; he has talked to a couple of Board members, but thinks a public conversation needs to begin to take place. It is a concern of his. During the last several months, our board has lost, in a sense, its focus. We spent countless hours discussing the debt load of the County, when in reality the County has proven through the last two cycles of borrowing that we have been very conscious and conservative on our borrowing; we have not even borrowed the maximum amount that is allowed by our policy, which is in part due to good planning by this Board and the County administration. The actual overall debt of the County is at the lowest amount it has been since he has been on the Board. There is a reason that he believes we have lost our focus. During last year’s election, himself and Supervisor McNamara and Supervisor North campaigned on the importance of Economic Development and he is sure that in next year’s election, Ms. Hooker will do that as well. However, our Board discussions do not reflect that at all. Let him be a little more pointed. The year was 2013, none of the five of the current members were on the Board, but that was the last time Roanoke County had a significant economic development announcement. It was Ardaugh, with nearly $100 million in investment. This should be very concerning to this Board and the citizens that we represent. In 2015, we as a Board developed a Community Strategic Plan and we adopted it 2016. During that development, we were told at 87% of the tax burden in Roanoke County fell on the backs of our residents, while our commercial base only made up 13%. He assumed those numbers are still true today. Over the last 15 months, have we as a Board continued to implement the strategic plan that our citizens were a part of and supported. We were given a roadmap to move our community forward and improve our quality of life for our citizens. Again, over the last 15-18 months, he has read in the Roanoke Times of projects coming to Botetourt, Industrial Park in Franklin County and we see redevelopment taking place in Roanoke City. Our Director of Economic nd Development sent the Board an article from Virginia Business dated March 2, highlighting five other projects in areas around us. In the last few years, we have seen the job losses of Norfolk Southern, Advance Auto, Allstate and Allstate has just announced another round of layoffs in Roanoke. His question is, “What are we doing?” What are we doing to replace that quality of job? We have not been informed that our population is declining. So, he is asking, what is our economic development conversation look like? Do we need diverse housing stock? Do we no longer concentrate on single-family dwellings? What should our economic development look like? What do we need to do or can do to attract business and entrepreneurs to the County? Do we need an incentive plan? How do we plan? Do we invest in infrastructure? Remember, Amazon, has been looking on the East Coast for another site. They are also looking for a strong community with a tech savvy area. Again, over the last several months, we have not been focused on the future growth or growing our community. Why is it important to have strong revenues? Because they impact everything from Public Safety, schools, social services and providing a living wage to our employees, which he states on a regular basis that it is probably one of our strongest March 13, 2018 119 assets. Projects that we should be pushing forward such as the 419 Development, Wood Haven Project. He was proud to announce with Supervisor Hooker and our friends in the City of Roanoke, Salem in November of 2016 the purchase of that property. We need to be pursuing the rezoning of that property to a commercial district. It is in a key location, 581 and 81 and we purchased it for that purpose not for us to be partners or our partners to be long-term property owners or to have something for residential development. The purpose was to increase our commercial space. If we look, we have proven that when we plan we are successful. The example is simply this and right now it is the only economic driver we have in Roanoke County, but we proved that when we plan and when this Board has invested and we deploy our assets (meaning our staff), we get the results and that is with Explore Park. We need to have the conversation about where we are going so today he would like to make a request of Mr. Gates and staff that he would like to request that Mr. Gates and our staff provide us with a framework for economic development over the next 60 days. We need to see all options that should be done and feels it should be done publically to get the benefit to our citizens and the support of our citizens. This Board needs to be open, listen and encourage our staff to bring us a viable plan. He does not have the solution at this minute, but firmly believes that if we put our heads together we can become a strong, robust place to attract businesses to Roanoke County. We need to send a clear message that Roanoke County is open and inviting to all businesses. Chairman Hooker stated she would like to piggyback on that and respond that she knows that Supervisor Peters knows and understands that our budget discussion are extremely important and we take it very seriously. It is an important duty of this Board and to maintain reasonable debt loads and keeping those reasonable. There has been a lot of discussion about that and this is fiscally conservative Board and we want to make sure that we maintain that perspective. While she appreciates what he is saying, she thinks our discussion have been very pertinent. Economic Development is what we need to proceed and not just with our planning, but our actions and look forward to hearing back with your request. We have been focusing on growth and planning and that is a vital part of Economic Development, so she thinks it is connected; we would just like to see some more action and more positive results. She thinks we are all on the same page. She was handed a pamphlet to help promote an Entrepreneur Express Seminar; we count on small business owners and would like to encourage more. On th March 20 from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon at the South County Public Library on Merriman Road, there is going to be a seminar especially for these entrepreneurs. Assessing resources is crucial for a small business to start and grow and in these challenging economic times, find financing, new customers markets and accessing help within the State and Federal Government. Sounds like it could be very useful to a start-up. Advanced registration is required, so you need to go to www.vastartup.org, blog events, Roanoke Regional Entrepreneur Express Workshop. It does require advance registration. If you have questions or require additional information, contact Jessica Fintel with Roanoke County; this is a joint project with Roanoke City. We look forward to 120 March 13, 2018 having people come to that. IN RE: ADJOURNMENT Chairman Hooker adjourned the meeting at 3:52 p.m. S 4 bmi ted by: Approved by: 40,Ap .11t......Allidvirl iftke" eborah C. i a r a ha B. Hooker Chief Deputy -rk to the Board Chairman